Brazilian President Takes Her Country Back to the Closet on LGBT rights

LGBT rights activists have burgeoned onto the scene of civil society movements across Latin America in recent decades. A topic far too often forgotten by politicians, media outlets, and academics, they are an integral part of the continuing efforts to fortify democratic institutions and broaden social inclusion throughout the Americas.

Most notably, Brazil, a country that has been receiving increasing attention for its unprecedented economic growth and investment in human development, has continuously slipped under the radar of international watchdogs in its failure to protect and defend the rights of LGBT citizens.

President Dilma Rousseff, who enjoys overwhelming popularity and a strong presence in both the domestic and international political spheres, lies at the helm of this neglect. Departing dramatically from her predecessor, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Ms. Rousseff has refused personal meetings with any leading members of national LGBT organizations, including those who compose the government-sponsored National Council on LGBT Discrimination (National Council).